TESTIMONY
Maria Policarpo on the Need for Additional Assessors and Its Impact on NYC's Revenue and Property Valuation
6:09:20
·
143 sec
Maria Policarpo discusses the staffing crisis among NYC assessors and its repercussions on revenue collection and property valuation.
- Policarpo, representing DC 37 Local 1757, highlights over a 25% reduction in assessor staff since March 2020 and understaffing issues, particularly in Brooklyn.
- She emphasizes the negative impact of insufficient staffing on property valuation accuracy, leading to a significant loss in revenue for NYC.
- The lack of oversight on tax leases, hotels, and self towers, and the under-assessment of new buildings and air rights sales are noted as pressing issues.
- Policarpo recommends hiring an additional 100 assessors to fill existing vacancies and enable more effective district management.
- The potential increase in revenue from improved property assessments could support essential public services, she argues.
Maria Policarpo
6:09:20
Good afternoon, Chair Brennan, and members of the city council.
6:09:23
My name is Maria Polocarpo.
6:09:24
I am president of DC 37, local 1757.
6:09:28
Which represents appraisers and assessors.
6:09:30
I work as an assessor in the New York City Tax Commission, and I'm going to speak regarding the critical need for the hiring of additional assessors as a crucial part of the budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
6:09:39
At the Department of Finance, assessors are responsible for overseeing the valuation of approximately 1,100,000 parcels within the 5 boroughs and the single largest source of revenue in New York City.
6:09:51
Our overall member total is down over 25% since March of 2020.
6:09:56
Staffing at DOF has been at crisis level and continues to decline.
6:10:00
There were 15 vacant districts with Brooklyn suffering the most having 7 vacant districts, short supervisors, and a vacant senior supervising assessor position.
6:10:08
Staten Island is now the only borrower without a more experienced 3a assessor and also without a supervisor.
6:10:16
The loss of revenue due to the lack of actual assessor's value in properties versus a fluid computer modeling system run by random titles is immeasurable.
6:10:25
We have seen tax less due properties reduce my model nearly 30% without any rhyme or reason.
6:10:31
Hotels, even those considered major property pro files are being modeled.
6:10:35
Self towers and billboards need regulation and monitoring along with an audit process for those who do not report the income they produce.
6:10:42
Or claim of no income due to sale.
6:10:45
Physicals from alterations, new buildings, flip sales, and condo conversions are being missed due to the shortage of staff.
6:10:52
The sale of air rights is not monitored or accurately assessed.
6:10:55
At the tax commission assessors are tasked with an insurmountable caseload and mandated to 12 weeks of overtime.
6:11:02
Human error due to the lack of time to carefully review caseloads is unfair and is unfair to the taxpayer and can be costly to the city.
6:11:09
Excess annual leave is also a significant issue due to the nature of our demanding schedules.
6:11:15
The hiring of an additional 100 assessors will help to the current vacancies and create smaller and more manageable districts.
6:11:21
The uncollected revenue, which would be sustainable, with additional assessment staff could fund vital public services.
6:11:28
We have been advocating for a line of succession and warning about attrition for years.
6:11:32
Unfortunately, both retirements and resignations have outpaced any hiring efforts.
6:11:37
Local 1757.
6:11:38
Thanks you for your time and consideration, and I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have.